Yes, it was fortunate that "One reason the fire was stopped quickly was because TWO firefighters were on the first engine that responded to the scene, Williamson said. Although the department's staffing level usually means ONE person responds on each apparatus, in this case a VOLUNTEER was staying overnight at the nearest station and responded on the first engine..." (I added the Caps.)

If we had adequate staffing on our fire apparatus, all the time, then ALL fires would have two persons responding. Isn't that an excellent reason to at least LOOK AT Consolidating Fire/EMS with Fayette County?

If Fire & EMS were consolidated, then the "double taxation" of PTC residents would stop and the PTC government could concentrate their efforts, and our money, on the Police Department.

Again, I'm looking for better service for lower cost.

Something to think about, if not something everyone wants to DO something about.

Peter Pfeifer

Mr. Pfeifer,
In reading your comments again, I must add additional commentary, as your one phrase reminded me of some common public apathy about fire service staffing. Something which seems to carry over to some elected officials in this instance. Your comment "If we had adequate staffing on our fire apparatus, all the time, then ALL fires would have two persons responding."
What organization, institution or government agency would consider two persons on a fire apparatus "Adequate Staffing"? Two persons on a 30,000 - 80,000lb piece of fire equipment would actually only be considered a minimal safety standard, and not "adequate staffing". I've pointed out several times in these forums that ultimately it's what you put on the scene in the first several minutes of an incident. I've also pointed out it's task analysis which helps make this determination. Ultimately to get the needed number of persons on the scene in the first several minutes normally requires more than two per truck. Fairburn just started their own fire department this year, and they run with up to five or six personnel per vehicle. Newnan staffs their fire department also with up to six personnel per fire apparatus. The insurance industry gives the highest ratings to those departments that staff with six or more per truck (along with several other requirements), and the National Fire Protection Association standard (NFPA #1710) cite staffing levels of four to five per apparatus based on some criteria. The saving grace in Peachtree City is the dedication of volunteers, although volunteer response anywhere is never consistent.
Your comment relating "Adequate Staffing" and "Two Persons Per Truck" in the same sentence further solidify's your lack of knowledge of Emergency Services in general.
Something for you to think about!

Mr. Pfeifer,
Might I once again point out to you, Peachtree City taxes amount to what, a little over 4 mils (FOR EVERYTHING), and the Fayette County Fire Tax (a separate tax from the 1.8 million or so taken from the county general fund for the county EMS budget)is just under 4 mils. WHERE WOULD THE SAVINGS TO PEACHTREE CITY RESIDENTS BE? Again, county and Tyrone residents pay almost as much JUST in a fire tax, as Peachtree City residents pay for Fire, EMS, Police, Library, Public Works, Cart Paths, Recreation, City Hall, etc...
Not only am I questioning if you really still live in Peachtree City, but whether or not your on the same planet - better service (what was proposed - less ambulances for everyone), less money - I find that very doubtful.
Peachtree City would only be the golden egg for Fayette County Emergency Services in taxes. Just like the county-wide Communications / Dispatch center consolidation which took place about 12 years ago, less responsive service cost Peachtree City residents more (and it's taken almost 12 years with that consolidation to come even close to what the county had promised then).

Odd to use a success as proof that it should have been a failure!!